Select Local Merchants

The first thing people notice about Circus Vargas is its big-top tent. Hand-fashioned in Milan from 90,000 square feet of cerulean-blue and sunshine-yellow fabric, the canopy, along with spotlights and saw-dust-covered floors, completed the illusion of an elegant lost era when used in the 2011 film Water for Elephants. The last thing people notice is the absence of animals. They're too busy gaping at a man balancing a 12-step ladder with his mouth.
Keeping its marvels strictly human, Circus Vargas builds on a 40-year history by blending classic feats of fearlessness with surprising new tricks. The show features magic tricks along with a skilled hand balancer, a speed juggler, and the wheel of destiny.

Catch up with your friends over a bite to eat at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, a local American bistro.
G-free and low-fat are just a couple of examples, come here for a quick bite that will leave you feeling healthy.
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse's fully stocked bar is a perk for patrons who enjoy a fine wine (or more) with their meal.
At BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, kids of all ages are welcome.
For those in a hurry, the restaurant lets you take your meal or snack to go.
It's time to gather up the party people. Serve them great food from BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.
Score! BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse provides free parking to all diners in the lot next door.
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse offers safe bike parking outside.
If you don't want a night that will cost you an arm and a leg but you do want a delicious meal, come to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.
Early risers and night owls alike can enjoy BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse since it offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

For bar nibbles and pub food par excellence, Tattle Tale Room is a top pick.
At Tattle Tale Room, you can indulge in low-fat and healthy fare that will leave you with a full stomach.
There are plenty of TVs in the bar to go around as well, so diners don't have to worry about missing out on anything.
The large dining space at Tattle Tale Room provides quick and easy seating options for large groups.
Show up in sneakers or a suit at Tattle Tale Room, where dining in comfort is of utmost importance.
If you need to feed a big crowd, Tattle Tale Room also offers catering services for parties and get-togethers.
Tattle Tale Room's diners can park in a nearby lot or on the street.
Tattle Tale Room is creating dishes any foodie will love at around $30.

Capoeira, an African-Brazilian art form, combines dance, martial arts, music, and acrobatics. All of these elements come together in a circle known as a roda, where capoeira's participants perform improvised movements.
Omulu Capoeira Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization, welcomes all types of students into its roda, regardless of age or fitness level. By teaching capoeira, instructors help their students lose weight and build strength, in addition to learning to play musical instruments and sing traditional songs in Portuguese.

A nonprofit cooperative, imaginese Free Productions is a conglomerate of artists and dreamers working together to achieve goals, complete projects, and help others do the same. They work in a variety of media and art forms, including acting, directing, painting, and music. Through shared resources and equipment, as well as weekly workshops and courses, they hope to create a positive creative working environment in which to nurture and accomplish all manner of artistic endeavors.

Property Location
A stay at The Culver Hotel places you in the heart of Culver City, minutes from Sony Pictures Animation and close to Sony Pictures Studios. This 4-star hotel is within close proximity of 20th Century Fox Studio and Museum of Tolerance.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 46 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your bed comes with down comforters and Egyptian cotton sheets. Windows open to city and mountain views. 32-inch high-definition televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature rainfall showerheads and makeup/shaving mirrors.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a 24-hour fitness facility, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access and a concierge desk.
Dining
Grab a bite to eat at the hotel's restaurant, which features a bar and a garden view. You can also stay in and take advantage of 24-hour room service. At the end of the day, relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge. A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, a computer station, and business services. Planning an event in Culver City? This hotel has 2000 square feet (186 square meters) of space consisting of conference/meeting rooms, small meeting rooms, and banquet facilities. Parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.

Groupon Guide

Whether embracing your inner child at an ice-cream festival, reliving your high-school years at a screening of Dazed and Confused, or commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights movement, this week’s events give you a chance to revisit the past. As always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in Los Angeles.
Street Food Cinema
Exposition Park | Saturday, August 2, 5:30 p.m.
If seeing Richard Linklater’s much-lauded new film Boyhood has you jonesing for some of his cult classics, this outdoor screening of Dazed and Confused should do the trick. Come early for food-truck fare and indie-rock tunes from local band Speardane, before settling in for the 8 p.m. screening. (700 Exposition Park Dr.; $6–$17; children 5 and younger are free; buy tickets here)
People Get Ready: A Soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement
Downtown | Saturday, August 2, 8 p.m.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights movement, this concert features modern soul and world-music singers performing freedom songs by Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and other legends. The lineup includes French favorites Les Nubians, as well as Sam Cooke’s granddaughters, who’ll likely be covering their grandad’s classics. (350 S. Grand Ave.; free)
Once
Hollywood | Through August 10
This Oscar-, Grammy-, and Tony-winning story may have moved from Off-Broadway’s modest theaters to the Pantages’ grand stage, but it still centers on the original songs Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová wrote for the film. If you get there early enough, you can even grab a drink from the onstage bar before the show begins. (6233 Hollywood Blvd.; $32.25–$140.70; buy tickets here)
Ice Cream Festival
Downtown | Through August 24
At Rosa Mexicano, chefs are throwing a month-long Ice Cream Festival, during which they’re making scoops inspired by their savory, south of the border foods. Flavors include avocado, cinnamon-chili-spiced chocolate, and sweet-corn-and-caramel. If you’re worried how these concoctions might taste, don’t be—Martha Stewart once said the restaurant serves “the best guacamole in the world.” (800 W. Olympic Blvd.; free)
Jack & the Giant
Sawtelle | Through August 24
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, kids in the audience decide the characters' fates by helping them make decisions along the way. The Little Theater's intimate, 49-seat setup eases the interactive process, but come early for a good seat as the venue is first come, first serve. (12420 Santa Monica Blvd.; $10–$15; buy tickets here)
Photos courtesy of the Dazed and Confused Facebook page and Rosa Mexicano.

Sure, LA has one of the best comedy scenes in the country. But things are going to be just a bit funnier around town this week, thanks to a comedy festival headlined by Louis C.K., a lobster festival with dogs dressed as sea creatures, and a Neil Simon classic directed by Jason Alexander. As always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in Los Angeles.
Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival
Irvine | Saturday, September 13, and Sunday, September 14
Funny or Die's comedy festival is only in its second year, but it's already attracting some of the industry's best talent. Headlining this weekend's dates is Emmy-winner Louis C.K., with a supporting cast that includes Sarah Silverman, Aziz Ansari, and Hannibal Buress. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre; $40–$255; buy tickets here)
EAT. DRINK. ART.
Hollywood | Saturday, September 13
At this biannual fundraiser for the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, you can bid on pieces from up-and-coming artists, sample food from celebrity chef Kris Morningstar, and make art of your own at sketching and ceramics demos. Admission includes three drink tickets. (4800 Hollywood Blvd.; $30–$40 for GA, $100–$110 for VIP; buy tickets here)
Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival
Ports O' Call Village | Friday, September 12, to Sunday, September 14
If that dog-dressed-as-mutant-spider viral video made you laugh, you'll definitely want to check out this fest's LobsterDog parade with pups costumed as sea creatures. Plus, all the actual lobsters are flown in fresh from Maine each day. Oh, and did we mention pirates? (Berth 76; $9–$10, free for kids 12 and younger; buy tickets here)
The Coaster Show
Los Feliz | Through September 28
A tie-in to LA Beer Week (which starts on the 20th), this exhibit at La Luz de Jesus Gallery puts a pop-surrealist spin on the ubiquitous bar accessory by having established artists paint, etch, or even sculpt upon 4-inch discs, all of which are being sold for $250 or less. And yes, there'll be craft beer on tap. (4633 Hollywood Blvd.; free)
Broadway Bound
Sawtelle | Through September 28
Nearly 30 years after starring in it himself, Seinfeld alum Jason Alexander is now directing a reboot of Neil Simon's classic autobiographical play. Try catching the show on Friday the 19th, when Odyssey Theatre is having free wine and pay-what-you-can tickets ($10 minimum). (2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.; $10–$30; buy tickets here)
Photos courtesy of Oddball Festival, Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival’s Facebook page, and Odyssey Theatre Ensemble

The upcoming week will be easy on your pocketbook: there’s a food-truck lunch on Santa Monica Pier, a gallery exhibit with a celebrated British street artist, and a comedy show featuring some bona fide TV stars, all of which are free. (Bring some money to that last one, though—there’s a silent auction for a good cause.) And as always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in Los Angeles.
Final Day of Food Truck Week
Santa Monica | Saturday, October 11
The only thing better than a food-truck lunch? A free food-truck lunch. This year's finale feast is brought to you by Wicked Kitchen, who will be giving out spicy italian-sausage mac until they run out. Can't make it to the Pier? Share the FTW poster on social media and win a free lunch with 10 friends. (Santa Monica Pier; free)
IndieCade
Culver City | Through October 12
Open to both industry professionals and the general public, IndieCade gives gamers a chance to play more than 150 of the year's most celebrated independent video games. Attendees may play casually or enter tournaments, go to meet-and-greets with game creators, and network at industry events. (9300 Culver Blvd.; $20–$445; tickets sold onsite)
The Harvey Show!
Hollywood | Tuesday, October 14
Yes, this comedy show’s lineup includes Pete Holmes and Silicon Valley's Kumail Nanjiani. And yes, it's free. But bring some dough—NerdMelt will be taking donations and auctioning off items (including SNL tickets) to raise money for Chicago comedian Steve O. Harvey, who's battling cancer and whose infant daughter is hospitalized with a rare congenital disorder. (7522 Sunset Blvd.; free; RSVP required; buy tickets here)
D*Face: Scars and Stripes
West Hollywood | Through October 15
A pop-up exhibit from famed British street artist D*Face, this collection of portraits depicts Hollywood stars and musicians who died young (Cobain, Tupac, et al.). The multimedia artist has been celebrated for his ability to integrate graffiti, animation, punk-rock influence, and Lichtenstein-style pop art. (315 S. Robertson Blvd.; free; RSVP required)
The Trip to Bountiful
Downtown | Through November 2
Leading an all-star cast that includes Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood, Cicely Tyson reprises her Tony-winning role as an urbanite who wants to return to her small Texas hometown before dying. It’s Tyson’s first stage role in 30 years, and the New York Times is calling it the performance “of [her] lifetime.” (Ahmanson Theatre; $30–$110; buy tickets here)
Photos courtesy of Wicked Kitchen, Pete Holmes and Kumail Nanjiani, and the Ahmanson Theatre